India asks U.S. to explain reported spying on BJP

NEW DELHI, July 2 (Xinhua) -- India Wednesday conveyed its serious concern over reports that the ruling BJP party was among parties which the United States National Security Agency (NSA) was authorized to spy upon.

India also summoned a senior U.S. diplomat based here and sought an explanation on the issue.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said India has clearly explained its concerns to Washington and sought an assurance from the U.S. authorities that any such authorization will not be acted upon.

"Intrusion of privacy of individuals and institutions was highly objectionable," he said.

"We have already communicated to the government of the United States. We have said that we have seen reports in the U.S. media regarding authorization given to entities of the U.S. government to intrude upon the privacy of communications of the Indian government, its citizens and Indian entities," Akbaruddin said.

According to a report by the Washington Post, India was among 193 countries "concerning" whom the NSA has been authorized to intercept information by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

The NSA exempted only four countries -- Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand -- "in a group known collectively with the U.S. as the Five Eyes" from such surveillance, the newspaper had reported.

Akbaruddin said the government had conveyed its message " clearly and lucidly" and will wait for a response from the United States.

"(We have) sought explanation of press reports and sought an assurance that such authorization will not be acted upon by the U. S. as far as Indian government or entities are concerned," he said.

Akbaruddin did not name the U.S. diplomat to whom India conveyed its message.